The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-06-11
HOSTESS AND GUEST.
The Duties of the Former and the Obliga-
lions of the Latter.

A home of ones own implies many
privileges and rights, chief among
which is the opportunity of dispensing
hospitality with gracious generosity
and winning tact. Only the churlish
and the selfish prefer to close the gates
OF the home, like a medieval castle or.
an Oriental zenana, refusing to lep
them swing wide that dear and well
come friends may pass within, bring
ing smiles and sunshine, as they are to
receive the best the home can give
Among the pleasant associations which
some households treasure as beyond
price are the recollections of guests
who have from season to season been
entertained at the table and by the fire.
side. We all know houses where it is
delight to visit, to which an invita-
tion is an honor, from which we return
to the world heartened for its labors
and fearless of its cares. And every
home has its red-letter list on which
some names stand higher than others,
representing the guests who left regret
behind them when they had to say
good-by-the guests one would fain
have kept longer, if only one could
have persuaded them from other en-
gagements, the dear guests who must
come again.
A successful visit implies the under
standing and acceptance of certain con-
ditions on the part of both guest and
l,., I'll
ures of the situation are reciprocal.
Perhaps the first, as it is the manifest
duty of the hostess, is to see that her
guests physical comfort is in every way
secured. The guest-chamber may or
may not be elegantly appointed. so far
as curtains, draperies, lace and embroid-
cred spreads are concerned. These adj
Juncts of luxury are merely adventitious,
and sometimes they convey a promise
to the eye which is broken in the daily
and nightly experience.
The bed on which the friend is to re-
pose should be one to solicit sleep, so
perfect should it be cleanliness, in daint-
mess, in common-sense making. The
mattress should be in order, not 50 worn
that, like an undulating landscape, it 5
all hills and hollows, The pillows
should be of shape and size to rest the
head, neither so large and cumbrous
that one can not arrange them cOnven-
iently, nor SO much like a Japanese
bolster that Japanese education would
be necessary to their agreeable use.
Above all, the pillows should not be COM
posed of feathers partly cured and emit
ting odors decidedly not of Araby the
blest, when their victim woos reluctant
slumber.
Care should be exercised as to the
manner in which tile blanket, if it be
double, is disposed upon the bed. The
doubled side should 90 to the foot, so
that if the heat of the nightrequire that
half the covering be thrown of, the
guest may easily arrange it to suit her.
self At all seasons, in summer as well
as at other times, there should be avail
able extra bed-coverings in the room,
accessible to the guest. We have known
lady, entertained with lavish kindness
in palatial home, to be so chilly
through an early autumn night that
she was compelled to pile on the too
thinly covered couch not only her
ordinary clothing, but her ulster and
waterproof, only thus gaining sufficient
warmth for sleep. Just here letme say
that while to some persons linen sheets
are luxury, to others they are abso-
lutely repellent with'ther slippery cold
ness, and no one should ever be obliged
to sleep between them if he or she be-
longs to the latter minority. 1t is well
to inquire of the guest about this.
Abundance of water, soap, fresh
towels and plenty Of them, pins, but
ton-hook, q drawer OF two for use,
closet shelves and nails, a whisk broom,
an easy rocker or other rest-inviting
chair, Il small table or desk with writing
materials, and few agreeable books,
should furnish the guest-chamber. Let
the guest know how she can commune
cat with the hostess if illness or fright
disturb her in the night. 1t is easy to
say that nervous invalids should stay at
home: but the most nervous invalid is
less likely to need an attention between
midnight and dawn if she knows pre-
cisely how she can call assistance
should it become imperative.
One thing more. Be sure there are
matches in the room, and in a con-
yenient place.
On the guests part there should be
at least lady-like appreciation of a
pretty room, which ought not to be
thrown into needless disorder by heed
less use. The dainty belongings ofyour
friends rooms should be cared for
while you are in her house.
The hostess, if she have little children,
no matter how beautiful and well be-
haved, should be careful that they are
not so much with the guest that they
weary her. The most cherubic little
ones may annoy Il person who is not
their mother, and the most amiable
woman in the world may prefer not to
have her gown rumpled by little climb
ers who precipitate themselves unasked
into hpr Ian-nnt tn have hnr fnna rov-